Exalting Christ And Loving People

The slogan "Exalting Christ and Loving People" is meant to summarize what God is calling us to do as a church here at Alta Vista Baptist. These two express a couple of main things that should mark our lives. One is directed vertically to the Lord, the other horizontally to those around us. Now, even though we don't always succeed in "loving people", we generally understand what's involved. We've been anchored in relationships for years now and realize at least some of what is meant by "loving people". There are various kinds of love and different ways to express each one - but we get the picture. The part of the slogan that will be a little fuzzy for some will be the "exalting Christ" part. What do we mean by "exalting Christ"? We may be ready to say that it likely has something to do with worship services and singing and also with doing what will please Him in our lives. Beyond that, we may not have a very clear focus for what "exalting Christ" means.

As with many words in the Bible, the word "exalt" is expressed by several words in Hebrew and Greek language, but the most common words (ruwm in Hebrew; hupsoo in Greek) simply mean "to lift up". To exalt Christ is to lift Him up. Well, what does that mean?? Here are a few things that we glean from the scriptures that may help us get a handle on what is intended by "lifting Christ up". In the first place, for Christ to be exalted means that He has been given His rightful place. Acts 5:31 says, "He is the One whom God has exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Saviour, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." Philippians 2:9-11 says, "Therefore also God has highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." These verses tell us that the rightful place of Jesus Christ is at the same time at the right hand of God and also above everything on the earth. In whose opinion? The opinion of God the Father! We recognize that there are many in our world who would not share God's view that Christ should be exalted. As believers, however, we are called to share His point of view. 1 Peter 3:15 says, "...but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts...". In the quiet of our own thoughts and meditations, the One who has pre-eminence (first place - Colossians 1:18b) is Jesus Christ. He has already been given first place by the Father, we recognize and acknowledge Him as the exalted One. He has been exalted by the Father already, our privilege is to raise our voices in support of that decision! When we worship, it is our expression that we agree and declare that Jesus is the One worthy to be praised. Our choruses "He is Exalted" and "I Exalt Thee" carry this theme.

In the second place, it is important to realize the basis on which Christ is exalted. Isaiah 25:1 says, "O Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy name For Thou hast worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness." The Philippians 2 passage states that it is the obedience of Christ in carrying out the plan of the Father that results in His being exalted. Christ has demonstrated the worthiness of His character and person by the worthiness of His finished work. Not long ago, I was watching a playoff football game. When the game was over, the players on the winning team picked up their head coach and carried him off the field on their shoulders. In doing so, they expressed that his work as head coach had a great deal to do with the team"s victory. They "lifted him up" because of his accomplishments. How much more is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, worthy of being "lifted high" because of His finished work that has secured our salvation and demonstrated God's authority in the universe! Christ has been given His rightful place at the right hand of God the Father because He has demonstrated His worthiness by carrying out the Father's plan in completeness and faithfulness! Our ongoing joy is to be the ones who say, "Him! He's the One - He is worthy!". A few years ago, at a concert with the Christian group "The Imperials", we were coming to the end of the evening and we had all enjoyed the music very much. "The Imperials" sang one of their very familiar songs as the last one in the concert and we were ready to "raise the roof" in appreciation. As they finished that last song, they went immediately into a short but powerful piece that went like this, "Not to us, not to us O Lord, but to Thy Name be glory." They were very concerned (and rightfully so!) that the credit for the evening might be mis-directed. They wanted to "lift Him up". Amen!

As a church, "Exalting Christ" means that in our worship, in our ministries, in our stewardship, in our outreach, in our families, in our individual lives and in every way we can, we point to Jesus Christ as the Worthy One. That's a big job! Actually, it's impossible for us - it is only as Christ lives His life through us that we can live the lives that as individuals and as churches will "lift Him up". We are here to point people to Jesus - every way we can! May He alone be glorified!

Pastor Gordon MacLeod

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